With April just about here, let’s run through another 2026 NFL Mock Draft.
The draft board, while still not fully clear yet, is starting to take form a little bit more as the big weekend approaches. Who will go after Fernando Mendoza? How many QBs will go in Round 1? What will the Bears do at 25th overall? Let’s take a look.
2026 NFL Mock Draft
1. Las Vegas Raiders: QB Fernando Mendoza – Indiana
The Raiders did a ton early on in free agency to make life easy on a rookie quarterback, and, as of now, Fernando Mendoza seems to be the runaway leader in the clubhouse to be their starter next season.
Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel – Imagn Images2. New York Jets: LB Arvell Reese – Ohio State
After Dante Moore decided to go back to Oregon, the Jets will have to pivot with their selection. I don’t foresee a quarterback being worth it here, especially with next year’s loaded QB class, so I think they should just take the top player on their board.
3. Arizona Cardinals: OT Francis Mauigoa – Miami
The Cardinals also probably need to go with the best player available, though they do have a few different needs to fill. I’ve had them taking Rueben Bain Jr. in previous mocks, but addressing the offensive line might be the more likely scenario here.
4. Tennessee Titans: RB Jeremiyah Love – Notre Dame
Head Coach Robert Saleh also knows first-hand the value of having a do-it-all running back on his side from his days in San Francisco with Christian McCaffrey. Reports from the Combine were that the Titans think Love could be the best player in the draft. I think running back is trending toward going in this spot, especially after Tennessee added edge rusher Jermaine Johnson in a trade with the Jets, then interior defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers as their big-ticket free agent.
© Michael Caterina-Imagn Images5. New York Giants: WR Carnell Tate – Ohio State
The Giants released Bobby Okereke to save against the cap, but then brought in Tremaine Edmunds to fill that hole at linebacker. Now I think they will go and get a wide receiver to help out Jaxson Dart, especially after Wan’Dale Robinson departed for Tennessee in free agency. Having said that, I do think this pick is still very up in the air.
6. Cleveland Browns: LB Sonny Styles – Ohio State
Cleveland let Devin Bush walk after a career year, and now they have a hole to fill in the middle of that defense. Styles’ speed and athleticism would make a lot of sense as a replacement for Bush.
7. Washington Commanders: EDGE David Bailey – Texas Tech
I think Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the best player in the draft still at this point, but if an EDGE with as high a ceiling as David Bailey is sitting there, I think Washington has to take him. If the Commanders are choosing between Bailey and Downs, I don’t think there is a wrong choice.
8. New Orleans Saints: EDGE Rueben Bain Jr. – Miami
The Saints seem to have their young quarterback. Now, they can stand to add some help getting to the opposing quarterback. Bain’s arm size was a concern at the Combine, but there is no denying the results he produced on the field. He’s still arguably the top EDGE in this draft and would be a nice pick here.
9. Kansas City Chiefs: OT Spencer Fano – Utah
The Chiefs need to add to the offensive line, so Fano makes a whole lot of sense in this spot if he’s still on the board.
10. Cincinnati Bengals: S Caleb Downs – Ohio State
The Bengals need help in a lot of places. While they have holes on both lines, they have holes in the secondary, too, and arguably the most talented player in the draft falling to them at No. 10 in Caleb Downs would be a gift they’d be thrilled to take.
11. Miami Dolphins: CB Mansoor Delane – LSU
Miami has a few needs defensively, and they select the top cornerback on most draft boards to slot into Jeff Hafley’s defense.
12. Dallas Cowboys: CB Jermod McCoy – Tennessee
Dallas needs help getting to the quarterback, but it could also use a boost in the secondary. McCoy provides them a high-upside candidate there.
13. Los Angeles Rams (via ATL): OT Monroe Freeling – Georgia
The Rams traded their later first-round pick to address the cornerback position, but adding a tackle is still on their to-do list, and Monroe Freeling’s performance in Indy could very well vault him all the way up into the top half of the first round. It’s not hard to envision the Rams grabbing him at this point in the draft process.
14. Baltimore Ravens: WR Jordyn Tyson – Arizona State
Looks like the Ravens are back on the clock! Now that they’ve addressed their need on the edge with Maxx Cros…err…I mean, Trey Hendrickson, I can see them adding at receiver in this spot with two very good options — Jordyn Tyson and Makai Lemon — still left on the board. I think Tyson fits their needs a little better, so I went with him here.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Akheem Mesidor – Miami
The Bucs have to address their struggles getting to the quarterback. It’s not the only thing that cost them their playoff spot this year, but it was really an issue. Akheem Mesidor made a name for himself in the College Football Playoff and has established himself as a first-round talent.
16. New York Jets (via IND): WR Makai Lemon – USC
Wide receiver might not be their biggest need, but adding Makai Lemon to their group of pass catchers adds a versatile weapon for their offense that should help out quite a bit.
17. Detroit Lions: OT Kaydn Proctor – Alabama
Aidan Hutchinson is a great pass rusher, but the Lions have struggled to find a consistent option opposite him. They could very well take a shot at that here with this pick. However, their offensive line took another big hit with Taylor Decker’s departure, and looking for a tackle of the future at this spot would also make a lot of sense.
Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images18. Minnesota Vikings: S Dillon Thieneman – Oregon
Minnesota has a few holes to fill defensively, and after Thieneman’s strong combine and pre-draft momentum, his potentially being an eventual Harrison Smith replacement isn’t hard to envision at all, while still being able to help out immediately.
19. Carolina Panthers: TE Kenyon Sadiq – Oregon
Carolina addressed its need on the edge with the massive Jaelen Phillips deal. They still need a bit of an influx of skill offensively, and Kenyon Sadiq gives them that as a versatile tight end who can line up inside or outside and can be a matchup nightmare due to his speed.
20. Dallas Cowboys: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren – Toledo
The Cowboys use their second first-round selection to fill a big need at safety. McNeil-Warren is a big safety who can thrive at all three levels, and he’d be a great addition to a Dallas secondary that needs a boost.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: WR Denzel Boston – Washington
This is another pick that still feels like it’s very up in the air, especially if Vega Ioane is still on the board. However, right now, I think they end up taking a wide receiver to complement DK Metcalf and potentially give Aaron Rodgers more reason to come back and play another season.
22. Los Angeles Chargers: IOL Olaivavega Ioane – Penn State
The Chargers need to add to their offensive line, and Ioane feels like a perfect fit. They’ll need Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater to come back healthy, but Ioane would provide an immediate boost to their line and help keep Justin Herbert upright, which is something they struggled with mightily late last year and in the playoffs.
23. Philadelphia Eagles: EDGE T.J. Parker – Clemson
I’ve had the Eagles going with an OL here for a while now, and that’s still possible. But with Jaelon Phillips leaving in free agency to join the Carolina Panthers, the Eagles need help along the edge. Parker could be a solid pick for them.
24. Cleveland Browns (via JAX): WR KC Concepcion – Texas A&M
Cleveland needs to add some help to their group of pass catchers, and KC Concepcion would provide them with speed and versatility in this spot.
25. Chicago Bears: DT Peter Woods – Clemson
Another week, another different name for the Bears at 25th overall. This pick really does still feel very much up in the air, depending on how the board in front of them shakes out. Peter Woods, I think, fits what Bears Defensive Coordinator Dennis Allen wants in a defensive tackle. But there are just so many different directions Chicago can go here, including a potential trade back.
© Ken Ruinard / USA Today Co Inc SC / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images26. Buffalo Bills: DT Kayden McDonald – Ohio State
I think the likely pick for Buffalo is along the defensive line somewhere. It will just depend on how the Bills view the talent left on the board in those positions when they go on the clock. Kayden McDonald would be a really nice fit for them on the interior.
27. San Francisco 49ers: EDGE Cashius Howell – Texas A&M
The 49ers added Mike Evans in free agency to address a big need on the outside. That clears the way for them to add to the defensive line, and Cashius Howell provides them a productive option with a ton of upside.
28. Houston Texans: OT Blake Miller – Clemson
The Texans have even more of a need on the OL now that they’ve dealt Tytus Howard to the Browns. Blake Miller would be a solid fit to come in and provide some stability to an offensive line that desperately needs it.
29. Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR): CB Brandon Cisse – South Carolina
The Chiefs moved star cornerback Trent McDuffie for this pick, so adding his replacement in this spot would make a lot of sense, one would think.
30. Miami Dolphins (via DEN): EDGE Keldric Faulk – Auburn
The Dolphins need help in a lot of different spots. Faulk might be a bit of a risky one, but he’s got an incredibly high ceiling that could be a home run of a selection at 30th overall if Jeff Hafley can get the most out of him.
31. New England Patriots: OT Caleb Lomu – Utah
As we saw in the Super Bowl, the Patriots struggled to protect Drake Maye and handle a good pass rush. Building that offensive line remains a huge area of need for them this offseason.
32. Seattle Seahawks: LB CJ Allen – Georgia
The Seahawks have some needs to fill after losing quite a bit in free agency. CJ Allen is a very solid defender who could slide into an already dangerous defense right away, and he’d fill a need in that linebacking core as well.
Hence then, the article about 2026 nfl mock draft draft board rounding into form as the big day gets closer was published today ( ) and is available on Bleacher Nation ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Draft Board Rounding Into Form as the Big Day Gets Closer )
Also on site :